Tug-loop.



w. 8. NORTH.

.TUG LOOP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 15, 1914.

Patented May 11, 1915.

RUM mambo WILLIAM B. NOR-TH, OF LUMBELETQN, NQIRTH CAROLINA.

TUG-LOOP.

1,1eavve.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1915.

Application filed September 15, 1914. Serial No. 881,823.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM B. NORTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lumberton, in the county of Robeson and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tug- Loops, of which the following is a specilication, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. I

This invention relates to an improved tug loop for supporting vehicle shafts or poles and has for its primary object to provide a device of this character, whereby the shaft will be properly supported but which ,admits of easy and quick removal of the shaft from the loop.

The invention has for a more particular object to provide an elongated metal loop provided in one side with a pivotally mounted spring held latch element through the medium of which the loop may be opened for the insertion of the shaft or pole, and improved means for connecting the loop to the tug strap of the harness.

The invention has for a further general object to improve and simplify devices of.

the above character, whereby the same are rendered strong and durable as well as highly convenient and serviceable tical use.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claim.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is aside elevation, partly in section, showing a tug loop constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of my invention, Fig. 2 is a view looking at right angles to Fig. 1, certain parts of the loop being shown in section.

Referring in detail to the drawing'5 designates generally an elongated metal loop. The space between the opposed side portions of this metal loop is of greater width at one end of the loop than at the other end thereof, as clearly shown at 6 in Fig. 2 of the drawing. One of the side bars of the loop between these wide and narrow end portions is inwardly bent or curved, as at 7, for a in pracpurpose which will be later referred to. The

opposed side bar of the tug loop immediately opposite to the bend 7 is out out or gapped to provide an entrance opening or throat. This entrance opening in the loop bar is normally closed by means of a latch plate 8, which is pivotally mounted at one of its ends in suitable bearing sleeves 9, formed upon the loop bar at one end of the entrance opening. 7

- 10 designates a length of spring wire which is coiled upon the pivotally mounted end of the latch plate 8 and has one of its extremities -11 engaged upon the inner face of the loop bar, while the other extremity 12 of said spring has bearing engagement upon the corresponding face of the latch plate 8. This plate is formed with anextension, or inwardly projecting enlargement 13, which in conjunction with the inwardly curved portion 7 of the loop bar restricts the space between the opposite sides of the loop, as indicated at 1 1-. The free end of the latch plate 8 is adapted to engage against a stop rib 15, formed upon the end of the loop bar. The latch plate preferably tapers longitudinally from its pivoted to its free end, and is provided adjacent to its pivoted end with finger receiving recesses or depressions 16.

As clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the tug loop. is provided in its inner face and at its wider end with a groove or recess 17 This recess receives a sleeve 18, which is loosely engaged upon one of the parallel portions of a loop rod 19 to which one end of the belly band 20 of the harness is adapted to be connected. The shaft or pole 21 is arranged within this wider end of the tug loop 5 and bears upon the sleeve 18 to retain the same within the groove 17 Thetug loop is connected to the tug strap, which is attached to the back band of the harness in the usual manner by means of a buckle 22. This buckle includes a rectan gular metal frame having one of its ends angularly extended, as shown at 23. Between the opposite sides of the buckle frame at the juncture of the body portion thereof with the extension 23, a tongue 24 is pivotally mounted. This buckle is assembled upon the tug loop by engaging the latch plate 8 through the extended portion 23 of the buckle frame between the same and the tongue 24, and then sliding the buckle longitudinally over the latch plate and upon the narrower end of the tug loop. At this end of the metal loop the same is provided with an opening 25, through which the tongue 2% is adapted to be projected. The tug strap 26 is inserted through the buckle frame, the tongue 24 being engaged in an opening in the strap, and the extremity of said strap disposed between the intermediate portion of the extension 23 of the buckle and the opposed portion of the tug loop.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought that the construction and manner of use of my invention will be clearly and fully understood. When the pole Or shaft 21' is arranged within the lower end of the tug loop, said loop is securely closed by the latch plate 8, and the inwardly projecting enlargement 13 of said loop together with the inwardly curved portion 7 of the loop bar precludes the possibility of the pole rising above this point, and thus obviates all liability of the pole bearing against the connecting buckle 22 and releasing the tongue thereof from connection with the tug strap. The pole or shaft may be very easily and quickly removed from the loop by simply engaging the thumb and forefinger of the hand in the recesses 16 of the latch plate, and forcing said plate inwardly until its free end engages with the opposite side of the loop. The pole may then be lifted and moved outwardly through the entrance opening or throat of the tug loop. It will thus be seen that I have produced a highly serviceable and convenient tug loop, which will at all times properly support the shaft or pole and obviate the possibility of its accidental release. The loop may be very easily and quickly detached from the tug strap when necessary, and is readily connected thereto by means of my improved buckle.

Owing to the very few parts employed in the construction of the invention it will be appreciated that the device is extremely strong and durable in practical use and may be manufactured at comparatively small cost.

While I have described the preferred form, construction and arrangement of the several elements employed, it will be understood that the device is, nevertheless, susceptible of considerable modification therein, and I therefore reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes as may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

A shaft supporting tug comprising an elongated metal loop having an entrance opening in one side thereof and adjacent to one of its ends, and an inwardly opening spring held latch plate normally closing said entrance opening, said latch plate being formed with an enlargement to limit the movement of the shaft with respect to the loop in one direction, and said loop being provided with an opening in one of its ends, in combination with an attaching buckle including a frame adapted to receive the loop, and a tongue pivotally mounted in said frame to extend through the opening in the end of the tug loop for connection to the tug strap.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM B. NORTH. Witnesses P. H. NORTH, M. L. NORTH.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. O. 

